Prostate cancer survivor returns to MD Anderson to spread cheer
Bryan Bump knows the importance of annual physicals. They’ve saved his life -- twice.
In August 2011, Bryan, then 49, underwent a physical exam through his employer’s wellness program so that he could get a discount on his health insurance premium.
“The doctor wanted to check my PSA levels because my father had prostate cancer,” he says. “I did not want to have the test, but I did it because she was very persuasive...
Finding purpose in my breast cancer diagnosis
Rebecca Stedman believes that every experience had in life serves a purpose, and cancer is no exception.
“Just as I felt like I was...
During kidney cancer treatment, yoga instructor finds her Zen
Over the last 11 years, Katy Tucker has endured a nephrectomy, Gamma Knife® radiosurgery and six chemotherapy drugs. And though the 71-year-old...
Persistence leads to mom’s early-stage breast cancer diagnosis
Suzanne Moilanen has lived in six countries in the last 30 years. And while she enjoyed living abroad, it also allowed her to get complacent about her health.
“When you’re young and you live overseas, you don’t do well-woman exams every year,” she says, “and you kind of worry only about your kids’ health care needs.”
Then last summer, after she’d worked her way up to walking/running eight miles every day, her progress started...
Second opinion, thyroid cancer surgery finally put survivor in remission
It’s taken nine years, but Paulette Spivey finally can say with confidence that she’s living without any evidence of cancer.
“I know...
Breast cancer patient finds hope in father’s cancer journey
Nearly a decade ago, Maria Newhouse’s father was told that his colorectal cancer had metastasized to his liver and lungs and that he had no...
During ovarian cancer treatment, patient learns to cope with stress
As Barb White has learned, life’s other challenges don’t stop when you’re diagnosed with cancer.
In February 2014, Barb -- then age...
Newlywed celebrates end of breast cancer treatment with tattoo
Becky Roberds’ wedding was set for July 11, 2015. The 38-year-old had already selected her venue, invited the guests and tailored her dress...
Facing a cervical cancer diagnosis during pregnancy
“We were totally blown away,” Misty Wiggs says of finding out she was pregnant with her third child in April 2015.
For 12 years, Misty...
Prostate cancer, leukemia won’t stop this marathoner
Hardly anything can get in the way of John Kosmatka’s passion for running. Even after he underwent prostate cancer surgery in March 2015,...
Despite setback, breast cancer survivor nears end of treatment
As Rebecca Stedman has learned firsthand, breast cancer treatment doesn’t always go as planned. That’s why she’s glad that she started her...
BRCA1-positive mom chooses mastectomy, breast reconstruction
Linda Phetphongsy is still trying to adjust to life with breast implants, though she welcomes the peace of mind they bring her.
“I...
Thyroid cancer survivor finds ways to cope during radioiodine therapy quarantine
Veronika Fitzgerald is still amazed by the events that led up to her papillary thyroid cancer diagnosis.
In the fall of 2015, she began...
Humor, love get non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor through stem cell transplant
They were inseparable for nearly a month, but Kate Arnold definitely felt more hate than love for Sheeba, her “constant companion” -- and...
Costumes and blogging help patient through chemotherapy
After her second chemotherapy infusion, Naomi Ziva realized that she was going to need more than medication to get through metastatic colorectal...
Anal cancer survivor: ‘Cancer doesn’t have to define you’
Some people get married. Some have children. Some get divorced. Some get cancer. Nelda Blair believes that while these are all life-changing...
Doctor gives colorectal cancer survivor strength for treatment
Even though Robin Odle knew she needed a colonoscopy when she turned 50, she put it off.
“I’d been traumatized by a prior GI test,...
Liver cancer treatment gives survivor chance to meet grandson
Sally Hargroves has always been active and full of energy, so when the Floridian became increasingly tired in 2010, she suspected something...
Stem cell transplant gives lymphoma survivor more time with kids
Kate Arnold isn’t entirely sure when her journey with non-Hodgkin lymphoma started.
“I probably was walking around with cancer for...
Acoustic neuroma, melanoma survivor spreads hope, positivity
Even when Shannon Long found out that she had an acoustic neuroma, a type of benign brain tumor, her gratitude never wavered.
“I was...
Lymphoma treatment teaches survivor to prioritize health
As an attorney, Corey Ellis has endured strict deadlines and harsh hours. All of that, though, pales in comparison to the stress he experienced...
Leukemia teaches college student lessons beyond the classroom
Like many students, Jasmine Ross started her junior year diving into new classes and projects, but in February 2011, the Texas A&M University-Corpus...
Stuntman confronts renal cell carcinoma with art, music
If you ask Tracy E. Thomas, living with cancer becomes much easier when you learn to shift your focus to something else. For him, that’s meant...
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor finds help, hope
Random nose bleeds and unexplained bruises were Edgar Villalta’s first clues that something was wrong. Then little red dots appeared all over...
Ovarian cancer survivor: Stay true to yourself
When Pam Scarpino was diagnosed with stage IIIC high-grade serous ovarian cancer in October 2007, her local oncologist told her she was really...